Dave Dombrowski just changed the balance of power in the American League East with Boston's acquisition of Chris Sale. To put it another way, the rest of the division is on the clock. Don't be surprised if the Yankees suddenly ratchet up their pursuit of Aroldis Chapman. Likewise, the Orioles and Mark Trumbo.
More»Dombrowski on acquiring Chris Sale from the White Sox

What do you give the man who has pretty much everything? Bud Selig received one additional touch Sunday when he learned he'll be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on his 83rd birthday -- July 30, 2017.
More»Selig honored to get call to Cooperstown

Here's why this year's Winter Meetings could deliver excitement for every franchise: Competitive balance has changed the game. It's not just that every team now has a chance to compete. It's also that every team feels the pressure to compete. These are the seven teams to keep an eye on.
More»Three teams that could be active at Winter Meetings

In the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday evening, baseball delivered a walk-off double in the gap, a 100-mph heater at the knees, a dazzling rookie, a savvy veteran. However you want to frame it, the players and owners reaching a labor deal was a victory for everyone.
More»Owners, MLBPA tentatively agree to new CBA deal

This is that time in the offseason when things start to get done. That's what the first week or so after the Thanksgiving holiday has represented to baseball in past years -- a sort of reset button.
More»Offseason heating up after Thanksgiving

Major League Baseball labor negotiations historically have had a unique dynamic. No agreement between the Players Association and the owners has been easy. None of them. Don't be fooled by the lack of rhetoric.
More»MLB Tonight discusses CBA labor talks

Free-agent closers Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon are expected to easily break the record Jonathan Papelbon set when he signed a five-year, $50 million deal in 2011. But the guys in front of them are going to have some nice paydays as well, especially in an offseason in which the free-agent starting pitcher class is thin. That's one of the larger lessons of what the Cardinals did on Saturday amid reports they'd agreed to a four-year, $30.5 million deal with free-agent left-hander Brett Cecil.
More»Justice on impact of Cecil signing on rest of market

Mike Trout is that special player who comes along every generation or so to take our breath away. Isn't his legacy just about that simple? This surely was what it must have been like to watch Willie Mays at 25. Or maybe Frank Robinson.
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There's no arguing with either Rookie of the Year Award winner: Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager or Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer. With one of them, there really was no argument against him. With the other, well, we'll get to Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez later.
More»Seager, Fulmer win Rookie of the Year Awards

At this week's GM Meetings, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski didn't come right out and say he wasn't interested in Edwin Encarnacion. And it's unclear where the free-agent slugger will land, after the Blue Jays reportedly struck a deal with DH Kendrys Morales
More»Morales signing could push Encarnacion out of Toronto

It's not just that the market for starting pitching is thin. It's not just that three of baseball's best closers are free agents. Nor is it that this postseason became an almost nightly showcase for great relief pitching and aggressive managing.It's all those factors that could make this "The Offseason of the Reliever."
More»Chapman, Jansen and Melancon to test market

Tim Hudson is a reminder that prices are going up. Baseball teams have money to spend, and with a thin free agent market and at least 20 clubs thinking they’ve got a chance to win the World Series in 2014, it’s a great off-season to be a free agent. Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann are […]
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Revisionist history says the Phillies made terrible decisions in giving all these longterm commitments to Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, etc. This is just silly. What were they supposed to do with these guys? Walk away from them? Allow Ryan Howard to leave via free agency? This group of players has transformed the Phillies from a […]
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Until the moment the World Series was won on Wednesday night, the Red Sox were focused only on the job at hand. One pitch at a time. One inning at a time. Et cetera. “Whatever the task is in front of us, that’s the one we address,” manager John Farrell said earlier in the week. […]
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Maybe the Astros came to town at just the right time to save the Rangers. Speaking of the Astros, this is the two-week anniversary of their last victory. During this little 0-12 run, they’ve been outscored 69-19. The Reds, Indians and Rangers all swept ‘em at a time when all three teams needed victories. The […]
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How crazy is this American League Wild Card race? Donât blink or youâll miss something important, and I speak as one who stayed with the Rays and Orioles for their 6-hour, 54-minute marathon that ended at 2:05 a.m. Saturday. In case you missed it, the Rays won it 5-4 in the bottom of the 18th […]
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Dodgers starters are 21-5 with a 1.91 ERA since July 26. In that time, they’ve had 12 games in which the starter didn’t allow an earned run. The Dodgers are 22-6 in August and 32-8 since the All-Star Break and 49-13 since June 22. 22 wins in August is a Los Angeles record for the […]
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Tom Boswell of The Washington Post has an excellent column about baseball’s recent September surprises. He’s reminding his hometown team that it’s important to play the season out because you just never know. Here are some highlights: In just the past two years, six teams have imploded to lose division titles or a playoff spot. […]
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I’m sure Ryan Braun was told that the reaction to whatever apology he issued would be negative. There’s nothing columnists and talk show nitwits like more than climbing on their soapbox and trashing another man’s ethics. As a matter of fact, I enjoy it myself. Some people were going to be satisfied only if Braun […]
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Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig made the following statement today regarding the discipline issued to players in relation to Major League Baseballâs Biogenesis investigation: âMajor League Baseball has worked diligently with the Players Association for more than a decade to make our Joint Drug Program the best in all of professional sports. I am […]
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It was the spring of 1993 in Fort Lauderdale when Orioles manager Johnny Oates introduced Cal Ripken Jr. to a skinny, 17-year-old kid from Miami. Alex Rodriguez would be the overall No. 1 pick in the draft that summer and had asked to meet with his boyhood idol. Ripken redefined the position of shortstop, proving […]
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